Worktable of workpiece processing machine

ABSTRACT

A worktable of a workpiece finishing machine comprises a first worktable and a second worktable. The first worktable has a first joining portion. The second worktable has a second joining portion which is joined with the first joining portion to enable the second worktable to slide back and forth along a predetermined direction provided by the first joining portion, thereby resulting in a change in the area formed between the first worktable and the second worktable for placing a workpiece to be finished by the workpiece finishing machine. The worktable further comprises a locating device formed of an arresting member with a first friction portion, and an actuating mechanism which is mounted on the second worktable and is connected with the arresting member. The arresting member is actuated to move back and forth between a first position and a second position, so as to enable the arresting member to press against the first worktable to attain the effect of locating the second worktable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a workpiece processing machine, and more particularly to a worktable of the workpiece processing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The ordinary workpiece processing machine, such as a circular saw or woodworking machine, has a worktable serving as a platform for placing a workpiece to be processed and for acting as a basis for moving the workpiece. In theory, a worktable with a greater area for placing the workpiece is good for the workpiece to be processed in various fashions. However, an excessively large worktable is sure to give an added volume and an additional weight to the workpiece processing machine, thereby resulting in an increase in cost of transportation of the workpiece processing machine.

[0003] The German Utility Pat. No. 2980112711 discloses a circular saw comprising a main worktable, and two auxiliary worktables which are provided in two sides thereof with a round rod that is received in one of two long through holes of the main worktable, thereby enabling each auxiliary worktable to be pulled to slide along the axial direction of the round rod so as to adjust the size of the workpiece placing area which is formed together by the main worktable and the two auxiliary worktables. The volume of the entire worktable can be made smaller by joining the auxiliary worktables with the sides of the main worktable. The space that is taken up by the circular saw can be thus minimized. In addition, the circular saw can be shipped with a relative ease.

[0004] The locating effect of the auxiliary worktables is attained by a plurality of wing bolts, which are fastened with the main worktable such that they can be pressed against the round rods of the auxiliary worktables. These bolts are apt to become unfastened by the vibrational motion of the circular saw in operation, thereby undermining the locating effect of the auxiliary worktables. The workpiece can not be therefore stabilized on the main worktable and the auxiliary worktables. In addition, it is inconvenient and time-consuming for a machine operator to fasten or unfasten the wing bolts in an effort to locate the two auxiliary worktables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is therefore the primary objective of the present invention to provide a workpiece finishing machine with a worktable which is designed to hold workpieces of various sizes.

[0006] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a workpiece finishing machine with a worktable which is easy to use.

[0007] In keeping with the principle of the present invention, the foregoing objectives of the present invention are attained by a worktable comprising a first worktable, a second worktable, and a locating device. The first worktable has a first joining portion. The second worktable has a second joining portion which is slidably joined with the first joining portion such that the second joining portion slides in a reciprocating manner along a predetermined direction, thereby enabling the second worktable to move toward or away from the first worktable. The locating device comprises an arresting member having a first friction portion, and an actuating mechanism which is mounted on the second worktable and is connected with the arresting member. The arresting member is actuated to move back and forth between a first position and a second position such that the arresting member is located at the second position. The second worktable has an urging portion, which urges the actuating member to move aside at the time when the arresting member moves from the first position to the second position, thereby enabling the first friction portion to attach to the second friction portion. As the arresting member arrives at the second position, the second friction portion presses against the first friction portion. As a result, the second worktable can not be continuously moved and is thus located.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 shows a partial exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 3 shows a sectional view taken along a line 3-3 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 4 shows a sectional view taken along a line 4-4 as shown in FIG. .

[0012]FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in use.

[0013]FIGS. 6 and 7 show the state of the use of the preferred embodiment of the present invention along the sectional view taken along the line 4-4 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0014]FIGS. 8 and 9 show the member state under the state shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 along the sectional view taken along the line 4-4 as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a worktable 1 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises the following component parts.

[0016] A first worktable 10 is formed of three unit plate bodies II of aluminium by extrusion, and two first side bars 12 which are fastened to two sides of the unit plate bodies 11 by a plurality of screws 111 and nuts 112. The first side bars 12 are provided in the underside with a first joining rail 121 extending along the axial direction of the first side bar 12, thereby forming the first joining portion of the first worktable 10. The first joining rail 121 is provided in the underside with two friction surfaces 122 extending along the first joining rail 121, thereby forming the second friction portion of the first worktable 10.

[0017] A second worktable 20 is formed of one unit plate body 21 of aluminium by extrusion, two second side bars 22, and two joining members 23. The two second side bars 22 are connected with two sides of the unit plate body 21 by a plurality of screws 211 and nuts 212. Each second side bar 22 is provided in the underside with the second joining rail 221 extending along the axial direction of the second side bar 22. The joining member 23 is provided with a slide slot 231, by which the joining member 23 is fitted on the second joining rail 221 of the second side bars 22. The slide slot 231 is provided with two shaft sleeves 232, which are located under the second joining rail 221 and are fastened in the slide slot 231 from the bottom of the joining member 23 by means of two bolts 233, thereby enabling the shaft sleeve 232 to urge the second joining member 23. The slide slot 231 of the second joining member 23 forms the second joining portion of the second worktable 20.

[0018] The second worktable 20 uses the slide slot 231 of its joining member 23 to join with the first joining rail 121 of the first side bar of the first worktable 10 such that the second worktable 20 slides along the first joining rail 121, so as to move toward or away from the first worktable 10. Each slide slot 231 is provided in the bottom with an urging block 24 which is provided in the top with two inclined planes 241 similar in inclination and inclination direction, thereby forming the urging portion of the second worktable 20.

[0019] Two locating devices 30 comprise an arresting member 31 and an actuating mechanism 32. The arresting member 31 is disposed on the urging block 24 which is located in the slide slot 231. The arresting member 31 is provided in the bottom with two reverse inclined planes 311 opposite in direction to the inclined planes 241 of the urging block 24 and in contact with the inclined planes 241. This is the first position where the arresting member 31 is located. The top of the arresting member 31 is separated from the bottom of the first joining rail 121 joining with the slide slot 231 by a predetermined distance. The top forms two friction surfaces 312 capable of contacting the first friction portion, thereby forming the second friction portion of the arresting member 31. The actuating mechanisms 32 comprise an application rod 321, a linking rod 322, and a driven rod 323. The application rod 321 is pivoted to the inner side of the second side bar 22. The driven rod 323 is put through the shaft sleeve 232 to locate in the slide slot 231 such that one end thereof is connected with the arresting member 31. The linking rod 322 is pivoted at both ends with the application rod 321 and one end of the driven rod 323, thereby forming with the application rod 321 an angle smaller than 180 degrees. As the application rod 321 is wrenched to swivel upwards, the driven rod 323 is pulled outward from the slide slot 231 by means of the linking rod 322, so as to actuate the arresting member 31 to move likewise. The reverse inclined plane 311 of the arresting member 31 and the inclined plane 241 of the urging block 24 bring about a differential, thereby causing the arresting members 31 to rise at the same time such that the friction surface 312 urges the friction surface 122 of the bottom of the first joining rail 121. This is the second position where the arresting member 31 is located in the slide slot 231. The two locating devices 30 depend on a joining rod 40 which is joined at two ends with the application rods 321. As a user applies the force on the joining rod 40, the two application rods 321 can be moved simultaneously.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, a circular saw A is provided with the worktable 1 of the present invention such that the first worktable 10 is fastened with the base of the circular saw A. As shown in FIGS. 6-8, when a long or greater wood workpiece is processed by the circular saw A, the second worktable 20 is pulled to move along the first joining rail 121 of the first worktable 10 to move away from the first worktable 10, thereby forming a greater area between the second worktable 20 and the first worktable 10 for placing the workpiece. The arresting members 31 are located at the first position.

[0021] When the second worktable 20 is moved to locate at the appropriate position, the user may wrench the joining rod 40 to move so as to cause the two application rods 321 to be exerted on by the force at the same time to swivel upward. Thereafter, the arresting member 31 is caused by the linking rod 322 and the driven rod 323 to move from the first position to the second position, thereby enabling the friction surface 312 of the arresting member 31 to press against the friction surface 122 of the first joining rail 121 so as to bring about the arresting effect. As a result, the first worktable 10 and the second worktable 20 are located.

[0022] When the user applies the force on the joining rod 40 to cause the arresting members 31 to return to the first position, the first worktable 10 and the second worktable 20 are relieved of the locating effect. As a result, the second worktable 20 can be pushed or pulled to change its position, so as to facilitate the processing of the workpiece of other sizes.

[0023] It is therefore readily apparent that the worktable 1 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is suitable for use in placing the workpieces of various sizes in such a manner that the workpieces can be processed in a variety of patterns.

[0024] In light of the design of the two locating devices 30, the second worktable 20 can be located with ease and speed so as to enhance the usefulness of the first worktable 10. In addition, the locating effect of the present invention is not affected in any way by the vibration of the circular saw A in operation, thereby enabling the workpiece to be placed on the first worktable 10 and the second worktable 20 with a great deal of stability. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A worktable of a workpiece processing machine, comprising: a first worktable having at least one first joining portion; a second worktable having at least one second joining portion which is joined with said first joining portion such that said second joining portion slides back and forth along a predetermined direction provided by said first joining portion, thereby enabling said second worktable to move in the direction toward or away from said second worktable; wherein said worktable further comprises at least one locating device comprising an arresting member having a first friction portion, an actuating mechanism disposed on said second worktable and connected with said arresting member to actuate said arresting member to move back and forth between a first position and a second position; wherein said first worktable further has at least a second friction portion; wherein said second worktable further has at least one urging portion which urges said arresting member to move aside at the time when said arresting member moves from said first position to said second position, thereby enabling said first friction portion to press against said second friction surface, said second friction portion capable of pressing against said first friction surface at such time when said arresting member has arrived at said second position, thereby locating said second worktable.
 2. The worktable as defined in claim 1, wherein said first worktable has two first joining portions; wherein said second worktable has two first joining portions.
 3. The worktable as defined in claim 2, wherein said first worktable is formed of three unit plate bodies made of aluminum by extrusion, and two first side bars fastened to two sides of said three unit plate bodies by means of a plurality of screws and nuts, each of said first side bars being provided in the underside with a first joining rail of a predetermined length and extending along the axial direction of said side bar, thereby forming a first joining portion of said first worktable; wherein said second worktable is formed of a unit plate body made of aluminum by extrusion, two second side bars, and two joining members, said two second side bars being fastened to two sides of said unit plate body by means of a plurality of screws and nuts, said two second side bars being provided in the underside with a second joining rail extending along the axial direction of said side bar; wherein each of said joining members is provided with a slide slot which is fitted with said second joining rail of said two side bars, said slide slot being provided therein with two shaft sleeves which are located under said second joining rails and are fastened in said slide slot from the bottom of said joining member by means of two blots, so as to urge said shaft sleeve to press against said second joining rail located thereover, said two second side bars being therefore joined with said two joining members, thereby enabling said slide slots of said two joining members to form second joining portion of said second worktable; wherein said second worktable is joined with said first worktable such that said slide slot of said joining member thereof is joined with said first joining rail of said first side bar of said first worktable, and that said second worktable is capable of sliding along said first joining rail to move toward or away from said first worktable.
 4. The worktable as defined in claim 3, wherein said first worktable has two second friction portions, with each being a friction surface formed along said first joining portion of the underside of said first joining rail, thereby forming a second friction portion of said first worktable; wherein said second worktable has two urging portions, which are formed by two inclined planes of the top of an urging block of the bottom of said slide slot, with said two inclined planes being similar in inclination and inclination direction to each other; wherein said worktable of the processing machine has two locating devices, with arresting member of each said locating device being disposed on said two urging blocks and being provided in the bottom with two reverse inclined planes opposite in inclination direction to said inclined planes of said urging block, said reverse inclined planes being attached to said inclined planes, thereby forming the first position of said arresting member; wherein the top of said arresting member is separated from said first joining rail bottom of said slide slot by a predetermined distance, with said top forming two friction surfaces capable of cooperating and contacting said first friction portion, thereby forming the second friction portion of said arresting member; wherein each of said actuating mechanisms actuates said arresting member to move to said second position such that said reverse inclined planes of the bottom of said arresting member and said inclined planes of the top of said urging block bring about a differential, so as to cause said arresting member to rise to enable the friction surface of the top of said urging block to press against the friction surface of the bottom of said first joining rail.
 5. The worktable as defined in claim 4, wherein said two actuating mechanisms are formed of an application rod, a linking rod, and a driven rod, said application rod being pivoted to an inner side of said second side bar, said driven rod being located in said slide slot such that said driven rod is put through said shaft sleeve, and that one end of said driven rod is connected with said arresting member; wherein said linking rod is pivoted at both ends with said application rod and one end of said driven rod, said linking rod forming with said application rod an angle smaller than 180 degrees, said application rod being exerted on by an external force to swivel upward so as to cause said driven rod to be pulled outwards from said slide slot by said linking rod, thereby actuating said arresting member to move toward said second position.
 6. The worktable as defined in claim 5, wherein said two locating devices are joined at both ends with said application rods by a joining rod, said two application rods capable of being actuated at the same time by an external force exerting on said joining rod. 